'Uber Of Lawn Care' Now Available For Snow Removal In Metro Detroit

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) - If you could use a good snow blow and later a mow, there's an app for that.

Advertised as "The Uber of Lawn Care and Snow Removal," LawnGuru now services 100 zip codes across Southeast Michigan — including a big chunk of metro Detroit.

How does it work?

The platform's Co-founder Skye Durrant tells CBS Detroit it's easy to use.

"To get started customers must create a free account," Durrant said. "During registration, users enter their address, next the app brings up a satellite image of the property. Users then trace out their areas of lawn, driveway and sidewalk. As they do this the app is actually measuring out the size of these areas.

"This information allows us to provide customers with an instant price for service. Once their account is setup, users are able to view local service providers working nearby, the interface is very similar to Uber, users see a map with their property and little trucks driving around nearby."

Next, Durrant said, just tap "Request Plow." Once the job is accepted, customers will get updates on the job via text message; and, when the jobs complete, they'll receive a picture of their freshly plowed driveway, rate their experience, and their credit card on file is charged.

Durrant came up with the idea with his partner, Brandon Bertrang, who cut lawns with him in high school. The pair continued in the business in college, and later rejoined forces with a good idea of what challenges service providers and their customers face.

"Hiring local service companies was once a time-consuming and frustrating experience, often requiring multiple phone calls, in home estimates and annual service agreements," Durrant said. "Customers can now leave that all behind. With LawnGuru, affordable, quality, same day service is just a few clicks away."

Durrant said most jobs cost about $30 or $40, depending on driveway size (and law size for mows).

The iPhone app is available now in the app store, and Durrant says an Android app is coming soon. Customers can also use LawnGuru online at https://getlawnguru.com. To find out if your neighborhood is covered, visit this link.